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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffRestless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition in which your legs feel extremely uncomfortable while you're sitting or lying down. It makes you feel like getting up and moving around. When you do so, the unpleasant feeling of restless legs syndrome temporarily goes away.
Restless legs syndrome affects both sexes, can begin at any age and may worsen as you get older. Restless legs syndrome can disrupt sleep — leading to daytime drowsiness — and make traveling difficult.
A number of simple self-care steps and lifestyle changes may help you. Medications also help many people with restless legs syndrome.
- MayoClinic.com, Diseases & Conditions A-Z, Restless legs syndrome, updated 10/04/06, accessed 11/07, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/restless-legs-syndrome/DS00191
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet, October 13, 2005, accessed 10/16/07, http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/restless_legs/detail_restless_legs.htm
- Tarsy, D. et al, Restless legs syndrome, UpToDate, updated 8/28/07
- RLS Foundation, Living with restless legs syndrome, copyright 2007, http://www.rls.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Document.Doc?&id=428
